2015 Mitsubishi ASX gets new 2.4 litre MIVEC engine

The Mitsubishi ASX sold in North America, otherwise known as the Outlander Sport, has received a power hike courtesy of a new 2.4 litre, four-cylinder MIVEC engine that produces 168 hp and 226 Nm of torque. Compared to the current 2.0 litre mill, an increase of 20 hp and 30 Nm is touted.

For 2015, two engine variants will be offered in North America, with the new engine being offered in two trims – the 2.4 ES and 2.4 GT. The flagship GT model offers additional goodies in the form of black bar across the front grille, black roof rails and LED turn indicators as standard.

Inside, a power driver’s seat, leather-wrapped parking brake handle and aluminium pedals further mark it out from its lesser siblings. The optional GT Premium Package adds on a Rockford Fosgate sound system and a panoramic glass roof while the GT Touring Package adds a seven-inch touchscreen navigation system.

Locally, the CKD Mitsubishi ASX is available in two variants – a 2WD and 4WD version – and is powered by the 4B11 2.0 litre, four-cylinder MIVEC engine with 150 hp and 197 Nm of torque. A sole transmission choice is offered in the form of the INVECS-III CVT.

An “actor” by training, Gregory Sze realised that he has had enough of drama in his life. Following his number one passion (acting was actually number two), he decided to make the jump into the realm of automotive journalism. He appreciates the simple things in life – a simple car with nothing but back-to-basics mechanical engineering and minimal electronics on board.

The E38 galant was one of the most confortable and best handling japanese sedans of that era. Toyota’s V20 and Honda’s CB Accord were boring boxes on wheels in comparison.

Thier GTO had active aero, and a big equally bulletproof 6G72 twin turbo, AWD…Thier American 1990 Eclipse/Talons/Laer tripplets brought the sport compact to run with the big boys in V8s, a class above the other sport compact from Honda. They were consistantly in the 10 best lists year after year.

All these road cars were infused with the DNA of race cars and race research. It made them special.

Going even further back to the 80s, I remember the Lancer Colt A172 was one of the best Japanese cars you could buy, and the Colt hatch even had a very unique selectable twin final drive gearbox.

When they stopped being different, they were just swallowed up by the other japanese marques (even the Koreans have better brand value).

With the EVO gone, and Mitsubishi out of WRC, all they have left is thier Fuel economy mantra and unfortunately, its really never cool to be slow and a miser.

Motorsports made every marque famous. No one wins popularity contests being an ecocar.

Mitsubishi is focussing on smaller cars and pickups. Not only the Evo is discontinued, another legend the Pajero is languishing as well.

I agree that ASX is the better looking model offered by Mitsu nowadays. Too bad that it also suffered from the same problem as the Attrage and Mirage, being neither here nor there in terms of size. I think Mitsu will sell more ASX if they designed it to be a proper CRV-sized crossover. I always noticed the ASX is not much bigger than a Myvi if put side by side.

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